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Texas Sage

Location


​​​​​​​​​Texas Sage

​Leucophyllum frutescens

  • Common Name: Texas Sage (other common names: Texas Ranger, Texas Rain Sage, Cenizo, Texas Silverleaf, Ash-Bush, Wild Lilac, Purple Sage, Senisa, Cenicilla, Palo Cenizo, Hierba Del Cenizo, Texas Barometer Bush)
  • Scientific Name: Leucophyllum frutescens
  • Family Name: Scrophulariaceae
  • Origin: Native to North America (Texas and northern Mexico).
  • Height: 6’-8’
  • Width: 4’-6’
  • Growth: Slow growing.
  • Zone: 8A - 11
  • Light Needs: Full sun
  • Salt Tolerance:  Moderate.
  • Soil/PH/Texture: Slightly acidic to moderately alkaline (pH 6.1 – 8.4).
  • Soil Moisture: Dry – somewhat moist, gravelly, dry to medium, well-drained soils, also will thrive in gritty soils with minimal moisture, avoid poorly drained soils and over-watering.
    Drought Tolerance: Extremely drought tolerant and heat tolerant, also very suitable for xeriscaping.
  • Pests/Diseases: No serious insects or disease problems but can get cotton rot. It is resistant to deer.
  • Growing Conditions: No need to fertilize, once plant becomes established plants require minimal maintenance.  Fertilizer, water and too much trimming can be detrimental to the health of this plant, it does not like to be fussed over. Also, this plant can be grown year-round in hardiness zones as an annual. It can become scraggly with age so any hard pruning of its branches should be done in spring and at alternate lengths.
  • Characteristics: This broadleaf evergreen and succulent is grown for its fragrant silvery to gray-green foliage. It is a seasonal bloomer with showy purple flowers that are under 1”. Flower bloom will give way to 2-valved capsules typically being triggered by rainfall or soil moisture.
  • Propagation: By seed or cuttings (softwood).
  • Wildlife: Attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.
  • Facts: Genus name leucos comes from the Greek meaning white and phyllon meaning white for the whitish foliage. It is called the barometer plant because when it has high humidity after having very dry weather it goes crazy with blooms.
  • Designer Considerations: This plant is effectively grown for a windbreak, screen or hedge, but can also work for borders, foundations, as a specimen, or even in larger pots along driveways or on your patio. This is a great plant for xeriscaping. 

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